Oakland As lose 45TH game of the season to break another unwanted record, Braves’ win over Phillies 

Yordan Alvarez hit two of Houston´s seven home runs, and the surging Astros beat Oakland 10-1 on Sunday to complete another series sweep and hand the Athletics their 11th consecutive loss.

Alvarez homered off opener Ken Waldichuk in the first, then had another solo blast off Garrett Acton in the ninth, right after Jeremy Peña went deep. It was the second multi-homer game this week by Alvarez and the 15th of his career.

Jose Altuve had three hits, including his first home run of the season after missing Houston´s first 43 games with a fractured right thumb. Jake Meyers had a go-ahead three-run blast in the fourth. Chas McCormick and José Abreu added solo shots as the Astros won for the 14th time in 17 games.

The seven home runs are the most hit by any team in Coliseum history.

‘We had a lot of fun today,’ McCormick said. ‘It was a good time.’

Houston Astros’ Jose Abreu (79) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run 

Few had as much fun as Abreu, who sprinted around the bases following his first home run since last Sept. 13, when he was still with the Chicago White Sox. Abreu signed with Houston as a free agent in November.

The Astros first baseman continued running as he crossed home plate, then slid underneath a pile of teammates gathered near the visitor´s dugout.

‘Obviously it was a while since I hit a home run and I had to enjoy it,’ Abreu said through a translator. ‘Life is about that. You have to enjoy those things.’

Cristian Javier (6-1) allowed one run and four hits in five uneven innings. The right-hander had three strikeouts and three walks and also picked off a runner.

Four Houston relievers combined for four scoreless innings to complete the win.

The victory, the 2,124th of manager Dusty Baker´s career, pulled the Astros within two games of division-leading Texas in the AL West.

Six of Houston´s runs came off five home runs in the final three innings.

‘It was still a close game and I´m glad we got those runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth,’ Baker said. ‘We finally hit some home runs today, which feels good. It was a good day for us.’

Ryan Noda homered for Oakland. The A´s (10-45) have the worst record in baseball and their losing streak is the franchise´s longest since dropping 12 in a row in 1995-96.

A week after taking three from the A´s at Minute Maid Park in Houston, the Astros thumped Oakland again.

‘These (pitchers) are young and they’re going up against some of the best hitters in the game today,’ A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. ‘They kind of got a lesson of if you’re going to leave the ball in the middle of the plate, you´re going to get hit and they’re going to take advantage of the mistakes. The mistakes flew out of the ballpark. Their power showed up today in an impressive way.’

Alvarez got his team off to a quick start when he crushed Waldichuk’s first-pitch fastball into the stands in deep right-center. It was the slugger´s seventh home run in May.

Noda tied it with a leadoff blast in the bottom of the inning.

Meyers’ three-run drive off Luis Medina (0-4) put the Astros ahead 4-1. Corey Julks singled leading off the inning and Yainer Diaz reached on an infield single to third before Meyers´ homer.

Winless in four starts since coming up from the minors May 11, Medina allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Before the big inning, the Astros loaded the bases with one out after Medina gave up a walk and a single, then picked up a pitching clock violation with a 3-1 count to Peña. Alvarez, looking for his third grand slam of the season, grounded into a 1-2-3 double play.

McCormick and Altuve had back-to-back shots off Medina in the seventh, one inning after the A´s loaded the bases but failed to score.

Oakland used an opener for the second consecutive game. Medina was scheduled to start before being switched out for Waldichuk.

Houston Astros left fielder Corey Julks catches a fly out hit by Oakland Athletics’ Nick Allen 

BRAVES 11, PHILLIES 4

Ronald Acuña Jr. drove in three runs with four hits, including a two-run single in Atlanta´s seven-run first inning, and the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-4 on Sunday night to split the four-game series.

Matt Olson hit a pair of two-run homers for Atlanta, and Spencer Strider (5-2) became the fastest pitcher in modern history to reach 100 strikeouts in a season.

Acuña hit a run-scoring triple in the fifth before Olson´s second homer to center. Acuña had two singles in the first when the Braves sent 11 batters to the plate, collected seven hits and opened a 7-0 lead. Led by Acuña and Olson, who had three hits, the Braves set a season high with 20 hits.

Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber each hit a two-run homer for Philadelphia. Dylan Covey (0-1) got the loss.

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies drives in two runs in the first inning of baseball 

RAYS 11, DODGERS 10

Isaac Paredes homered and drove in four runs as the MLB-best Rays topped the NL West-leading Dodgers.

Luke Raley beat out an infield single leading off the seventh and scored on Wander Franco´s grounder, giving the Rays an 11-10 advantage.

Chris Taylor homered twice, and Max Muncy, Trayce Thompson and J.D. Martinez also connected for the Dodgers. Victor González (1-2) was charged with the loss.

Muncy left in the third with a left hamstring cramp, which occurred running the bases. He will have an MRI exam on Monday.

Jalen Beeks (2-2) got the win, and Jason Adam earned his seventh save. Rays closer Pete Fairbanks was warming up in the bullpen but left for the dugout after his hip locked up.

Rays’ Josh Lowe loses his helmet as he steals third base ahead of the tag by Chris Taylor (3) 

ORIOLES 3, RANGERS 2

Austin Hays singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to cap a three-hit performance, and Baltimore avoided a three-game series sweep.

After Texas tied the game in the top of the eighth, Cedric Mullins opened the bottom half with a walk against Cole Ragans (2-2). Adley Rutschman followed with a single, and Hays greeted Joe Barlow with a sharp grounder up the middle against a drawn-up infield.

Danny Coulombe (2-1) got the win, and Félix Bautista struck out the side in the ninth for his 13th save in 17 tries.

Despite the loss, Texas has won 10 of 14 and gone 8-1-1 in its last 10 series.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cody Bradford throws during the first inning vs the Orioles

YANKEES 10, PADRES 7

Anthony Rizzo hit a go-ahead RBI single in New York´s seven-run third inning before injuring his neck on a pickoff play.

Rizzo was injured when Kyle Higashioka picked off Fernando Tatis Jr. to end the sixth. As the first baseman leaned back to apply the tag, Rizzo collided with Tatis. Rizzo stayed on the ground for a few minutes and headed back to the clubhouse as the Yankees batted.

The team said Rizzo´s exit was for precautionary reasons.

Aaron Judge and Harrison Bader homered for New York. Higashioka had three hits and two RBIs.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (6-0) allowed six runs, five earned, and four hits in six-plus innings.

San Diego’s Yu Darvish (3-4) was tagged for seven runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Jake Cronenworth and Rougned Odor went deep for the Padres.

Padres’ Ha-Seong Kim reacts after a pitch by the New York Yankees during the fourth inning 

BLUE JAYS 3, TWINS 0

Toronto’s José Berríos pitched around a season-high five walks and into the sixth inning, beating his old team.

Alejandro Kirk hit a two-run single in the second that held up for Berríos (5-4), who has allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his last nine turns after a rough start.

Daulton Varsho scored from first base on Kirk´s hit and was solid in the outfield, a day after he twice had a leaping catch attempt turn into a Twins home run.

Playing center, Varsho assisted on the third out of the fourth when he fielded a single and threw out Alex Kirilloff trying to go from first to third. Then in the eighth, Varsho jumped above the wall to take a homer away from Carlos Correa.

Jordan Romano recorded his 12th save with a scoreless ninth.

Bailey Ober (3-2) struck out seven while working five innings of two-run ball for Minnesota.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios delivers during the first inning of baseball 

ROCKIES 11, METS 10

Ryan McMahon homered for the third straight game and drove in five runs, powering Colorado to the victory.

McMahon hit a three-run double in a four-run fourth inning against Tylor Megill and a 437-foot, two-run homer to center field off Stephen Nogosek (0-1) an inning later. Colorado erased a 6-2 deficit to take two of three in the series and complete a 5-2 homestand.

Charlie Blackmon also went deep for Colorado, and Peter Lambert (1-1) got the win.

Francisco Álvarez and Francisco Lindor homered for the Mets. Tommy Pham finished with three hits and four RBIs.

Rockies’ Kris Bryant, congratulates Ryan McMahon (24) who after hitting a two-run home

DIAMONDBACKS 4, RED SOX 2

Merrill Kelly struck out 10 and Corbin Carroll hit a two-run homer, helping Arizona to the win.

Carroll hit a two-run homer off Tanner Houck (3-4) in the first. Geraldo Perdomo added a solo shot in the second to stake Kelly to a 4-0 lead.

Kelly (6-3) matched a career high by striking out six batters looking, one short of the Diamondbacks´ record. He allowed a run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Justin Turner hit a solo homer for Boston in the eighth inning against Kyle Nelson, but Miguel Castro worked around an infield single in the ninth for his fifth save in six chances.

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll connects for a two-run home run against the Red Sox 

BREWERS 7, GIANTS 5

William Contreras homered and drove in three runs, powering the Brewers to the win.

Owen Miller had two hits, scored twice and drove in two runs as Milwaukee salvaged the finale of the four-game series. Brian Anderson had two RBIs, and Christian Yelich walked twice and scored two runs.

The NL Central leaders were shut down by the Giants in the previous three games, only managing two runs and 13 hits.

Mike Yastrzemski and Blake Sabol homered for San Francisco, which had won three straight and 10 of 12 overall. Alex Cobb (4-2) was tagged for seven runs and seven hits in four innings in one of his worst starts of the season.

Milwaukee´s Colin Rea (2-3) was charged with four runs and five hits in six-plus innings. Devin Williams got four outs for his eighth save.

William Contreras #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates a two run home run vs the Giants

REDS 8, CUBS 5

Matt McLain had a career-high four hits in his 12th big league game, and Cincinnati completed a three-game series sweep.

Spencer Steer hit a two-run homer in Cincinnati´s fourth win in its last five games. Kevin Newman reached five times on two singles and three walks, and Nick Senzel had two hits and two RBIs.

Cincinnati outscored Chicago 25-10 in the weekend set. The Reds totaled 14 hits in the finale against their NL Central rival.

Patrick Wisdom homered twice and drove in five runs in Chicago´s fourth straight loss. Drew Smyly (5-2) permitted five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Cincinnati starter Graham Ashcraft (3-3) pitched five innings of three-run ball in his first win since April 15. Alexis Díaz worked the ninth for his 12th save.

Reds Will Benson (30), Jake Fraley (27) and center fielder TJ Friedl (29) celebrate their win 

MARLINS 2, ANGELS 0

Nick Fortes homered, rookie Eury Pérez pitched five innings and Miami concluded its 10-game road trip with a series sweep of the Angels.

Pérez (2-1) and five Miami relievers combined on a five-hitter that ended the Angels´ majors-best streak of 94 consecutive games without a shutout loss since Aug. 21, 2022.

JT Chargois allowed two hits and a walk in the ninth, but he retired Mike Trout on a game-ending popup to second with two runners in scoring position. Chargois earned his first save in 173 appearances during a major league career that began in 2016.

The Marlins have won four of five. They finished 5-5 on their trip.

Patrick Sandoval (3-4) pitched six innings of two-run ball for Los Angeles.

Miami Marlins pitcher Eury Perez throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning 

MARINERS 6, PIRATES 3, 10 INNINGS

Eugenio Suárez hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning, and the Mariners beat the Pirates for their sixth win in seven games.

The Mariners opened a 3-1 lead with the help of solo homers by Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh, but blew it in the eighth with an error and a wild pitch. Suárez was 0 for 3 before hitting his sixth homer off Robert Stephenson (0-3).

The Pirates have lost four of five and have not won a series in May.

Tayler Saucedo (1-0) pitched the 10th for the win, striking out Ke´Bryan Hayes to get out of a bases-loaded jam.

The Mariners are three games above .500 for the first time this season.

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh, right, holds a trident after hitting a solo homer 

GUARDIANS 4, CARDINALS 3 

José Ramírez hit a two-run double with two out in the ninth inning, lifting the Guardians to the victory.

Ramírez´s clutch hit off Ryan Helsley (3-4) rolled to the wall in right-center, scoring Myles Straw and Steven Kwan, who had drawn one-out walks.

The swing touched off a wild celebration for the Guardians, who have struggled to get clutch hits throughout the first two months of the season. Cleveland´s players stormed out of the dugout to playfully pound Ramírez, who threw his helmet high into the air between second and third base.

Xzavion Curry (1-0) pitched three scoreless innings for his first major league win.

Paul Goldschmidt hit one of three solo homers for St. Louis in the fifth inning.

Cleveland Guardians’ Mike Zunino scores a run on a double by Steven Kwan during the fifth

TIGERS 6, WHITE SOX 5, 10 INNINGS

Eric Haase hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, sending Detroit to the win.

Alex Lange (3-0) pitched a scoreless top of the 10th for the win. In the bottom half, Spencer Torkelson began the inning on second as the automatic runner and advanced on Jonathan Schoop´s fly ball off Reynaldo López (4-4).

Akil Baddoo was intentionally walked before Haase’s fly ball to deep center.

Baddoo hit a grand slam in the third inning off Dylan Cease. Detroit tied it at 5 on Javier Báez’s grounder to shortstop against Joe Kelly.

Chicago scored four runs in the seventh. Eloy Jiménez hit a two-run double, and Andrew Vaughn added a sacrifice fly.

Detroit Tigers’ Riley Greene slides safely into home plate to score vs the Chicago White Sox 

ROYALS 3, NATIONALS 2

Michael Massey drove in MJ Melendez with a game-ending single for Kansas City with two out in the ninth inning.

Melendez hit a solo homer in the seventh and Edward Olivares connected for a tying solo shot in the eighth. Olivares’ 452-foot drive damaged a scoreboard in left field, leaving it smoking.

In the ninth, Melendez reached on a one-out error by first baseman Dominic Smith. He then scampered home when Massey lined a single into right off Chad Kuhl (0-3).

Scott Barlow (2-3) pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the win.